Nolan vying for AVP spot

Dr. Riall Nolan was the second Academic Vice President candidate to visit campus.  Last Friday, Nolan sat down with a number of faculty and administrative groups in order to present why he should be first choice for the position.

Nolan earned his bachelor's degree in Psychology from Colgate University.  After volunteering for the Peace Corps in Senegal from 1965 to '68, he earned his doctorate in social anthropology from the University of Sussex in England. 

Having already lived abroad for years, Nolan continued to his professional career away from the States. He worked in Senegal, Papua New Guinea, Tunisia and Sri Lanka.  While in Africa, he organized and directed a number of research projects involving healthcare, agriculture, urbanization and rural development.

Upon returning to the U.S., Nolan did not abandon his global outlook on life. He has advanced the international study programs during his work at Georgia State University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Cincinnati and Purdue. 

Nolan believes that people must learn about the world around them in order to learn about themselves. 

"Looking at others and reflecting on what we learned is how we develop our sense of self," he said.

As an anthropologist, he is trained to look at the human experience holistically. That, he said, is why he became interested in the position at Gonzaga. 

One of the University's values that Nolan mentioned is its attempt to educate the student as a whole — spiritually, mentally and physically. Gonzaga's mission statement is a strong factor in his decision to apply for AVP. 

"There's a set of values and a purpose to what you're doing here," Nolan said in his session with faculty. 

The other dominant factor for Nolan in choosing Gonzaga is its size. At large schools like Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, both about three times the size of GU, "administration can't communicate effectively," he recalled, "there's no way to build and sustain consensus."
Nolan's background as an anthropologist and his extensive work overseas has "obvious points of connection to Gonzaga," he said.

In his work with international programs and development, Nolan knows firsthand the issues that the world is facing.

"[My record] fits very well with Gonzaga's mission in developing leadership and service toward the resolution of societal problems."

Another looming issue surrounding the AVP search is the core curriculum.  Nolan's main response to the curriculum question was that it should be designed based on the desired outcome of the school.  If Gonzaga wants its students to be more involved with their community, spance needs to be made in the curriculum for them to get out there.

"If you're going to be out in the world later, be out in the world now. Build that into the core," Nolan said.

In his sessions with both faculty and students, Nolan made sure to point out how close his values are to Gonzaga's.  He believes students find out about themselves by learning about others.

Gonzaga's mission statement says, "We also believe that a knowledge of traditions and cultures different from our own draws us closer to the human family of which we are a part."

When asked what type of skills he possessed that qualify him as AVP, Nolan responded that he is collaborative and works through other people.  Quoting Patton, he said, "Don't tell people how to do things, explain to everyone what needs to be achieved and let them surprise you with the results."